2 definitions
by
JohnPrestwick

The former President of Russia from 1991-1999. He was elected to the position at a time when Russia was a division of the Soviet Union. Soon afterwards, the Soviet Union collapsed, partly because Boris declared Russia was independent from it.

Boris emerged as a hero in August 1991 when he helped stop a coup attempt in Moscow, and won support from the USA and Europe when he vowed to bring capitalism and democracy to Russia. At the time Russia was very optimistic and glad to see the back of the Communist regime, but they were soon dissapointed.

The 1990s were a very bumpy ride for Russia. Millions of Russians lost money, savings and jobs due to economic collapse and inflation, and as a result Yeltsin never won back his popularity. A few people benefited - the "oligarchs", a powerful group of billionaries who profitted from the privatisation of the economy.

Yeltsin was dubbed a "Democrator" because of his behaviour. He played by the rules of democracy and won a legitimate reelection in 1996. But some of his actions, like the war in Chechnya and the shelling of the Parliament building in 1993 were hardly democratic.

He resigned on New Years Eve 1999 and handed over his power to Vladimir Putin, the last of Yeltsin's long line of Prime Ministers. By this time, Yeltsin was so unpopular that his approval ratings were just 2%.

Not to mention of course, he often took to the vodka.

The Pope," said Boris Yeltsin "At least I'll only have to kiss his ring.

Current Texas Congressman (Republican) and one of the most popular Republicans on the internet, second to Chuck Norris. He is a libertarian, believes in strict adherence to the Constitution and often disagrees with his own party as often as with the Democrats, such as with the Iraq War and War on Drugs. He ran for the Libertarian Party for President some time ago. More recently, he ran for President in 2008 for the Republican nomination and did fairly well, but failed to enter the mainstream contest between McCain/Romney/Huckabee. He is running again in 2012. Instead of relying on "elderly gun nuts" to gain support for his Presidential bids, Ron Paul appears to have a small but close following among young libertarians who are often seen on the internet.